Need You Now

Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.

A/N-thank you for the kind reviews and for following this story to its conclusion.

Epilogue

Five days after the battle-

Jacob opened his heavy eyes to find an angel gazing down at him. She was a pretty angry angel, though. "Dammit, Jake, I can't believe you went off and attacked Victoria and her mate all by yourself." She slapped him lightly on his good shoulder. It didn't hurt but Jacob winced all the same, more because her voice was so loud and hurting his sensitive ears.

"I wasn't going to let her get away again." Jacob defended himself. He licked his dry lips to moisten them.

"But it was two against one." Bella hit his shoulder again, scowling.

"You could just say thanks." Despite the abominable ache in his body and the morphine induced haze, a grin began to form on his lips. Bella all riled up was a sight to behold. He loved her so much. He was determined to kiss her.

Jacob shifted his weight, throwing his good leg off the bed as he attempted to stand up so he could kiss her.

"What are you doing?" Bella demanded in exasperation. "Lie down, you idiot, you'll hurt yourself!" She jumped to her feet and pushed his good shoulder down with two hands. Jacob surrendered, leaning back with a gasp of pain, but he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her down on the bed, against his good side. She curled up there, trying to stifle the silly sobs against his hot skin.

"Don't cry, honey." He hushed her.

"You could have died, Jake. Then what would I have done. I can't believe that you took such a risk. Don't give me those puppy dog eyes." Bella scolded him when he looked up at her through his impossibly thick lashes. "It's not gonna work. I'm mad at you-"

Jacob cut her off with a kiss. She melted against him immediately, her anger evaporating quickly as she surrendered to the way he was making her feel. They only parted to breathe. "I'm so glad you're okay. The last few days have been horrendous."

"Days?" Jacob was shocked. "I've been out for days?" He couldn't believe it.

"Jake, your injuries were extensive. You are lucky to be alive. If it wasn't for Carlisle-" She paused, her brown eyes reflecting her fears. "He's the one who's been treating you. Sam gave him a special dispensation to come onto the reservation, under supervision of course, so he could oversee your recovery."

"I guess I owe him a thank you." Jacob wasn't happy about that. It just showed how vulnerable the whole pack was. They had no medical professional on tap to treat them if anything as serious as this happened again. This was something he was going to have a serious discussion with Sam about, when he was finally up and walking again.

"I can see the wheels in your brain turning, Jacob." Bella teased him. She stroked his sweaty hair away from his forehead and planted a soft kiss on his brow. "But save the planning for later. You need rest. There's plenty of time to make your mark now that you're the Alpha."

"What?" Bella's bald statement sent him into a coughing fit. She looked at him in alarm, before grabbing a glass of water. "Here drink this, sweetheart."

Jacob took it from her with his good hand and gulped it down within seconds. "Shit, Bells. Warn me next time you play a joke on me like that."

Bella took the glass from him and set it down on his small bedside cabinet. "Um...it's not a joke. Perhaps the morphine has messed with your memory." She gave him a wicked smile. One that he liked. "Ever since the mountain you've been calling the shots. You took control, wolf boy. And there's no giving it back now."

The end.